New York state's tourism industry hit an all-time high of $100.1 billion in total economic impact last year, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on July 2 that a study released by research firm Tourism Economics showed that visitors to the Empire State had a $62.5 billion direct impact from people and companies providing goods and services to travelers. There was also an $18.5 billion indirect impact from secondary economic activities such as food wholesalers providing goods to restaurants and $19.2 billion benefit to New York's economy from local wages spent at businesses.
"A stronger tourism industry in New York means more jobs and more economic activity in local communities," said Cuomo in a statement. "That's why growing this critically important industry has been a top priority of this administration - an effort that, as this new data demonstrates, has been effective."
Cuomo said tourism employment has increased by 16% since 2011 and 2014 marked the 14th straight year that New York was the most visited state by overseas travelers. Tourism spending generated an estimated $7.8 billion in state and local taxes last year, according to Cuomo.
